A coalition of more
than 200 groups which include various bird and wildlife conservation
organizations and animal rights groups are calling on Secretary Sally Jewell of
the Department of Interior to take action to reduce mortality to wildlife
populations on public lands stemming from the nation's ever-increasing
population of feral cats. The group brings evidence from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that feral cats pose a threat to human
health as a result of an exposure to rabies and toxoplasmosis, a parasitic
disease affecting the human brain when exposed to cat feces.

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"The number
of domestic cats in the United States has tripled over the last 40
years and continues to rise," said Dr. George Fenwick, President of
the Washington, DC-based American Bird Conservancy. "We are asking Secretary
Jewell to take actions that will protect our native wildlife from 150 million
feral and outdoor cats that are decimating wildlife populations in the most
sacrosanct of locations, such as wildlife refuges, national parks, and other
important public lands."

"Domestic cats
have been either a direct or indirect factor in 33 bird species extinctions and
have been identified by the science community as one of the world's worst
invasive species. Rational heads have prevailed in terms of how stray dogs are
treated. Stray cats should be treated much the same way. Turning a blind eye to
this problem will only perpetuate the escalating impacts to birds and other
wildlife, as well as threaten human health and safety," said Susan Elbin,
Director of Conservation and Science, New York City Audubon Society.

"Cats out in the
natural environment are rapidly proliferating and are also extremely efficient
predators of wildlife, squirrel sized and smaller, often to devastating
effect. If we are to conserve native wildlife, cat populations as well as
other ecologically disruptive invasive species, must be controlled by natural
resource professionals especially on lands dedicated for conservation purposes.
Cat owners should also be educated as to impacts to the environment of their
cats and as responsible pet owners should keep them inside," said
Manley Fuller, President of the Florida Wildlife Federation.

In spite of evidence
showing the environmental harm caused by feral cats, state and local
decision-makers continue to consider legislation supporting the practice of
"Trap, Neuter, Release" (TNR) to maintain feral cat colonies. For example, the
State of Maryland is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 12 at 1:00 pm
to consider S.B. 1010, a bill that would support the continued growth of
feral cat programs in the state.